Carwashing apparatus



Sept. l0, 1968 L BAUM ET AL CARWASHING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1966 umm.

m om.m mum. 0 wow Ls nB .mw JR J. L. DAUM ETAL cARwAsHING APPARATUS Sept. 10, 1968 7 sheets-sheet 2 Filedv April 26. 1966 4W il q/Zzff Sept. l0, 1968 J, L. DAUM ETAL 3,400,727

CARWASHING AP-PARATUS Filed April 26. 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 zNvENToRs John L. Doum l R'oy B. Spurgn Sept. l0, 1968 J. l.. DAUM ET AL Filed April 26, 196e CARWASHI NG APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4

25 5/0 mill'i Fig.5

A Il* I L: :[24 3-2 mi" 30 INVENTORS Vn @Haag John I .ooum

Boy B. Spurgm F ig.6 l BY Wfmm Sept. 10, 1968 J. L. DAUM ETAL 3400,727

CARWASHING APPARATUS Filed April 2s, 196s 7 sheets-sheet. 5

'M10/[4t2 l' /34 INVENTORS John L. Daum Sept. l0, 1968 J. DAUM ETAL cARwAsaING APPARATUS Filed April 26, 1966 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 NNN mwN @MN Jhn L. D0ur n y B. Spurgm Wfms United States Patent O ABSTRACT F DISCLOSURE A vehicle washing apparatus having a carriage mounted for movement about a substantially oblong track and having a nozzle assembly rotated by a drive means mounted on the carriage, which directs rotating sprays of liquid onto a vehicle position below the track.

' This invention relates to washing apparatus and mo-re particularly to appa-ratus for washing vehicles. v

An object of this invention is to provide a new an improved vehicle washing apparatus for washing vehicles with a wash liquid, such as a hot solution of soap or detergent in water, and then rinsing the vehicle with a rinse liquid, such as hot water. Another object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus having a nozzle assembly which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and is movable in a substantially oblong path about the vehicle, wherein the nozzle assembly directs aplurality of sprays of liquid which are moving rapidly about the horizontal axis onto the vehicle to wash and rinse the vehicle during successive movements of the nozzle assembly about the vehicle.

Still-another object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the sprays of liquid impinge upon the surfaces of the vehicle at continuously varying angles of incidence to facilitate the -dislodgement thereby of dirt particles or lm adhering to `such surfaces.

A further object is to provide a new and improved vehicle washing -apparatus having an oblong track below and within which the vehicle to be washed is positionable, a carriage mounted for movement about the track and the vehicle, and a nozzle assembly mounted on the carriage for directing sprays of liquid onto the surfaces of the vehicle as the carriage moves thereabout. A still further object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the srays emanate at high velocity from nozzles of the nozzle assembly which themselves are rotating about a substantially horizontal axis.

vA.still further object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the nozzle assembly includes a plurality of nozzles `spaced from and rotatable about la substantially horizontal axis for directing sprays of liquid at the vehicle while the nozzles themselves are being rotated, whereby the surfaces of the vehicle are repetitively and successively subjected to sprays of liquid directed at continually varying angles of incidence thereto.

Another object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the carriage is provided with drive means engageable with the track for moving the carriage about` the track and with drive means for rotating the nozzle assembly.

l .Still another object is to provide a vehicle washing apparatus having means for supplying hot wash liquid under pressure to the nozzle assembly during one complete movement thereof about the track and for supplying a hot rinse liquid under pressure to the nozzle assembly during another complete movement of the carriage about the track.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved nozzle assembly for use in a vehicle washing apparatus wherein the nozzle assembly has a plurality of nozzles 3,400,727 Patented Sept. 10, 1968 ICC mounted to direct sprays of liquid at angles in directions inclined toward the axis of rotation of the nozzle assembly and also in the direction of rotation of the nozzles.

A further object is to provide a nozzle assembly where.- in at least some of the nozzles provide sprays directed at different angles toward the vehicle and their axis of rotation than others of the nozzles.

A still further object is to provide a washing apparatus wherein the means for moving the carriage about the track includes a rotatable means, such as a pneumatic tire, biased tow-ard engagement with the track and means for rotating such rotatable means.

A still further object is to provide a washapparatus of the type described wherein the means for driving the carriage includes `a pneu-matic tire engageable with an internal tread surface of the track meansbiasing the tire toward engagement with the tread surface, and means for rotating the tire.

Still another objectof the invention is` to provide a wash apparatus having a swivel assembly mounted on the track for supplying hot liquid to the nozzle assembly and electric current to motors driving the carriage and the nozzle assembly.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle washing apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view, with some parts broken away, of the washing apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is Ia fragmentary vertical view, with some parts broken away, of the carriage and nozzle assembly of the washing apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the switch means mounted on the track assembly of the apparatus which control the operation of the apparatus;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE `3;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partly sectional view of a swivel assembly of the apparatus;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of the drive means for driving the carriage about the track;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical partly sectional view of a modied form of the nozzle assembly;

FIGURE l1 is a sectional view with some parts broken away taken on line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13--13 of FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 14 is a schematic illustration of the electrical control circuit of the wash apparatus.

The wash apparatus 20 includes a base frame 21, a track assembly 22 mounted on the frame, a carriage 23 for movement about the track assembly, a nozzle assembly 24 mounted on the carriage for directing the sprays of wash or rinse liquid at a vehicle positioned below the track assembly as the carriage moves around the track assembly, and a swivel assembly 25 for delivering electrict current and wash and rinse liquids to the nozzle assembly.

The track assembly 22 includes a support frame 30 formed of a pair of substantially U-shaped sections 31 rigidly secured to one another by tie straps 33 which overlap adjacent ends of the support sections and are secured thereto vby bolts 34. Each of the` support frame sections 31 has three laterally outwardly extending connector members 35 welded thereto.

The base frame includes a pair of transversely spaced front columns'37 whose upper ends extend above the support frame and are connected by a transverse front top beam 38 spaced above the support frame and rigidly secured at its ends to the front columns by bolts 39. Gusset plates 41 are welded to the top beam and are rigidly secured to the front columns by bolts 42.

The front columns have inwardly extending support members welded thereto whose inner ends are rigidly secured to the front connector members 35 of the support frame sections 31 by bolts 52.

The transversely spaced rear columns 54 of the frame similarly have a rear transverse top beam 55 secured to their upper ends by bolts 56. The rear top beam has gusset plates 57 welded thereto which are rigidly secured by bolts to the rear columns. Inwardly extending support members 58 welded to the rear columns are secured to the rear connector members 35 of the support frame sections by means of bolts 59. The columns have foot plates 60. Each pair of aligned rear and front columns 37 and 54 is connected by angle braces 62 and 63 whose opposite ends are secured by bolts 64 to the columns. The braces at their point of crossing may be rigidly secured to one another in any suitable manner.

A transverse middle swivel assembly support beam 66, which is spaced above the support frame, has welded at its opposite ends dependent legs 67 which are spaced outwardly of the support from sections. The legs 67 have inwardly extending support sections 68 welded thereto whose inner ends are secured to the middle connector members 35 by bolts 69. The top beams 38 and 55 may be secured to the middle support beam by angle brace members 70 whose ends are secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The support frame has an internal track 72 rigidly secured thereto, the vertical dependent flange 73 of the track abutting the inner surface of the support frame and being welded thereto. The horizontal ange 74 of the track extends inwardly from the support frame. An internal sprocket chain support member 75 is secured to the support frame, its vertical flange 76 extending upwardly and abutting the inner surface of the support frame and its horizontal flange 77 extending inwardly therefrom. A continuous sprocket chain 78 supported on the angle member 75 is rigidly secured to the horizontal ange by bolts 79 which extend through the tubular link connectors of the chain.

The carriage 23 includes a pair of channel shaped vertical members 81 and 81a rigidly connected to one another by a top horizontal channel member 83 and a lower horizontal channel member 84, the horizontal members extending between and being welded to adjacent flanges of the vertical members.

The vertical carriage member 81 carries a pair of lower guide rollers 86 and 87 rotatable about vertical axes which are engageable with opposite sides of the support frame adjacent the bottom edge thereof, a pair of middle caster rollers 88 and 89 rotatable about horizontal axes which are engageable with top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the horizontal flange 74 of the track 72, and a pair of upper guide rollers 90 and 91 rotatable about vertical axes which are engageable with opposite sides of the support frame adjacent the top edge thereof. The other vertical carriage member 81a similarly has a pair of lower wheels 86a and 87a which are engageable with opposite side surfaces of the support frame adjacent its bottom edge, middle caster rollers 88a and 89a which are engageable with the top and bottom surfaces of the horizontal track flange 74, and upper rollers 90a and 91a which are engageable with the opposite sides of the support frame adjacent its top edge. The guide and middle CII rollers thus hold the carriage for movement on and about the support frame.

The upper caster roller 88 is rotatably mounted on .a bifurcated bracket 92 by means of the shaft 93. The bifurcated bracket in turn is rotatably mounted on a base 94 rigidly secured, as by a nut 95 threaded on its stud 96 which extends through a suitable aperture in the horizontal flange 97 of an angle bracket 98 Ywhose vertical flange 99 is rigidly secured by the bolts 100 to the verti cal member 81. The lower caster roller 89 similarly is mounted on a bifurcated bracket 104 for rotation about a horizontal shaft .105 thereof, the bracket itself being rotatably mounted on a base 106 which is rigidly secured to the horizontal flange 107 of an angle bracket 108 by means of a bolt 109 on its stud 110. The vertical flange 111 of the angle bracket 108 is rigidly secured to the web of the vertical beam 81 by means of bolts 112.

The lower roller 86 is mounted on the shaft .116 of a bifurcated bracket 117 whose base 118 is rigidly secured by the bolts 119 to the vertical carriage member 81. The roller 87 similarly is mounted on the shaft 120 of a bifurcated bracket 121 whose base 122 is rigidly secured by bolts 123 to an angle mount bracket 124. The horizontal leg .125 of the mount bracket is rigidly secured by bolts 126 to a horizontal support member 128 which extends below the bottom edge of the support frame and is rigidly secured by welding to the vertical carriage member 81.

The top inner roller 90 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 131 of a bifurcated bracket 132. whose base 133 is rigidly secured by bolts 134 to the vertical carriage member 81. The top outer roller 91 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 135 of a bifurcated bracket 136 whose base 137 is rigidly secured by bolts 138 to the mount bracket 140. The horizontal leg 142 of the mount bracket is secured by bolts 144 to a horizontal member 145 which extends outwardly from the vertical carriage member 81 and is welded thereto.

The rollers carried by the vertical carriage member 81a are mounted thereon in the same manner as the rollers carried by the vertical carriage member 81 and, accordingly, the various elements by means of which the rollers of the vertical carriage member 81a are mounted thereon have been provided with the same reference numerals, to which the sutiix a has been added, as cor responding elements by which the rollers of the vertical carriage member 81 .are mounted thereon.

The carriage 23 is movable on the support frame by a drive ,assembly which includes a mount plate 152 pivotally mounted on the vertical carriage member 81a by means of a pair of arms 153 each rigidly secured at one end to the mount plate by welding and each having a pillow block 154 secured to its other end by means of bolts 155. A shaft 158 mounted on a pair of vertically spaced brackets 159 of the vertical carriage member 81a extends through the pillow blocks and a pair of collars 161 which are rigidly secured to the shaft, as by set screws, not shown. The collars engage the brackets to prevent downward movement of the shaft through the apertures and also engage the pillow blocks to support the mount plate.

An electric motor 165 is secured by bolts 166 to a base box 167 welded to the mount plate. The drive shaft of the electric motor is connected by a suitable coupling 168 to the input shaft 169 of a speed reducing transmission 170 rigidly secured to the mount plate by means of bolts .171. The output shaft 173 of the speed reducing transmission is connected to a sprocket shaft 174 by means of .a belt and pulley transmission which includes a pulley 176 rigidly secured to the transmission output shaft, a beltf 177 and a pulley 178 rigidly secured to the sprocket sha t.

The sprocket shaft is rotatably mounted on the mount plate by means of a pair of pillow blocks 180 secured 4to the mount plate by bolts 181. The sprocket shaft is held against movement through the pillow blocks by suitable collars 182 rigidly secured to the shaft. A sprocket 185 is `rigidly secured to the lower end of the sprocket shaft and its outwardly tapered-teeth 186 engage the sprocket chain so that when the sprocket rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, FIGURE 4, the carriage is moved along the support frame in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIGURE 4. v

- The mount plate is biased in a clockwise direction, FIGURE 4, about the shaft 158 on which it is mounted to yieldably hold the sprocket in operative engagement with the sprocket chain by spring 190. One of the hooked ends of each of the spring engages about a bolt 191 secured to a bracket 192 rigid with the mount plate and their-opposite hooked ends are engaged in apertures in a lug` 193 welded to the vertical carriage member 81.

The -nozzle assembly 24 is mounted-on a tubular support member 200 to whose opposite sides 201 .and 202 the vertical flanges 203 af a pair of hanger brackets 204 are rigidly secured by welding. The horizontal yflanges 205 of the hanger brackets rest -upon the horizontal flanges 206 of the support angle brackets 207 whose vertical flanges 208 extend through downwardly opening slots in the webs of the support members 81 and 81a and are secured thereto by welding. The horizontal flanges 206 are provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 210 through which the bolts 212, which secure the horizontal flanges of the hanger brackets to the support brackets, may extend so that the nozzle assembly may be secured in any one of a plurality of transversely adjusted positions on the carriage.

The nozzle assembly includes a hollow shaft 220 which extends through suitable aligned apertures inthe sides 221 and 222 of the support member 200 and is rotatably mounted thereon by means of suitable bearing assemblies 223 and 224 which are rigidly secured tothe support member by bolts 225.

The hollow shaft is rotated by a motor `and speed reducing transmission assembly 232 whose output shaft 234 is operatively connected to the hollow shaft through a speed reducing gear transmission by a belt and pulley transmission which includes a pulley 235 rigidly secured tothe output shaft 234, a belt 236 and a pulley 237 rigidly secured to the rotatable shaft. The motor 232 is mounted by bolts 238 on a base .239 secured to the column bya pair of arms 240 rigid with thebase plate whose upper ends arev secured to the tubular support member 200 by bolts 241. It will be apparent that the tension on the belt may be adjusted by loosening the bolts 241 and pivoting the motor either upwardly or downwardly about the axis of the bolts 241.

j The inner end of the rotatable shaft has a substantially dish shaped manifold 243 whose dish-shaped vertical side wall 244 is rigidly secured, as byv welding, to the inner end of the rotatable shaft.The passage 245 of the hollow shaft opens to the chamber 246 of the manifold formed by the side wall 244 and the circular wall 248. The manifold is closed by a suitable side cover plate 250 rigidly secured to the open side of the manifold by bolts 251. Suitable sealing means, such as a gasket or-the like, is interposed between the cover plate and the circular wall of the manifold to seal therebetween. A plurality of radially outwardly extending conduits 254 have their inner ends rigidly secured to .the circular wall of the manifold and their passages open toto manifold chamber 246. The outer ends ofthe radial conduits have spray nozzles255 secured thereto by elbow fittings 256. The spray nozzles direct sprays of liquidinwardly relative to the axis or rotation of the nozzle assembly and also in the direction of rotation of the nozzles.

Wash and rinse liquids are supplied to the-outer end of the passage of the hollow shaft by a suitable rotating joint or union 259 whose rotating conduit 260 is connected tothe outer endy of the hollow shaft and whose stationary housing 261 has an inlet to Which is secured one end of a flexible conduit 263.The flexible conduit is secured tothe tubular support 200 by means -of clamps 265 and to the vertical carriage member 81a by clamps 266. 'f 1 The other end of the flexible conduit 263 is connected by a suitable connectoror coupling 267 to the outer end of a rigidI `conduit 268 whose inner end is connected byra suitable coupling 269 to the outlet 270 of the rotatable member 271 of a rotating joint ory union 272I of the swivel assembly 25. The swivel assembly 25 includes-apipe `274 whose lower end is connected to the nonrotating member 275 of the rotating union 272 by a coupling 276. The pipe 274 is secured by clamps 278 to a support bracket 280 welded to the central top support beam 66.

The swivel assembly includes a pair of brasscollector rings 280 and 281 rigidly mounted on the pipe 27,4 by means ofan insulating sleeve 282 secured to the, pipe. The electric conductors 283 and-284 of the cable 285.are connected to the collector rings 280 and.281,.respective ly. The .conductor 284 extends downwardly of` the,top collector ring to the bottom collector ring 281 through a suitable slot of the insulating sleeve. f A pair of brush holders 286 and 287 whose brushes 288 and 289, respectively, are in slidable contact with the connector rings 280 and 281, respectively, are mounted by means of a bolt 290 on the horizontal arm of a bracket 292. The brushes may be of any suitable type, such as carbon brushes, spring biased towards the collector rings and connected to the electrical Iconductors 294 and 295 of a cable 296. The bracket is provided at its lower end with a hub 297 mounted on the outlet 270 to which the hub is secured by a set screw 298. The bracket may be formed of two sections which are bolted together to facilitate its assembly to the swivel elements.

A spray shield 300 of the swivel assembly includes a housing 301 whose reduced lower end portion 302 is telescoped over the rotating member 271 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by -a set screw 303. A cover 305 of the spray shield secured to the pipe 274 by screws 306 has va dependent peripheral flange -307 which telescopes over the upper end of the housing. The cable 285 extends upwardly through a suitable seal bushing 310 secured to the cover, -while the cable 296 extends outwardly through a suitable seal bushing 311 secured to the housing.

The top end of the pipe 274 is connected by a suitable coupling 320 to a rigid conduit 321 which extends diagonally to one of the front columns 37 of the base frame and whose outer end is Iconnected by an elbow coupling 323 to a vertical downwardly extending pipe 324 which extends downwardly along the front column 37 and is clamped thereto by clamps 325. The lower end of the pipe 324 is connected by an elbow coupling 326 to a pipe 327 to which selectively wash and rinse liquids 4 are delivered from a suitable source.

The cable 285, secured to the horizontal pipe 321 by clamps 330, extends to a suitable source of lelectric current. The cable 296 extends to a junction box 334 rigidly secured to the mount plate 152. A cable 335 whose conductors are connected to the conductors 293 and 294 at the junction box supplies current to the electric motor 165 of the drive assembly 150 and a -cable 336 whose conductors are connected at the junction box to the conductors 293 and 294 extends to the electric motor 232 of the nozzle assembly.

In use, the vehicle to be washed is driven to a positi-on below and within the track 30. A hot wash liquid, which may be a solution of a suitable detergent in water at a temperature of approximately degrees Fahrenheit, is delivered under relatively high pressure, for example 600 pounds per square inch, to the pipe 327 and thus through the rotary union of the swivel assembly 25,Y the rotary union 259 of the nozzle assembly and the tubular shaft 220 to the nozzles 255. The motors and 232 are simultaneously energized so that the carriage moves 7 laboutY the vehicle 30 and the hollow shaft is'rotated. The :sprays of highvelocity wash liquid from the nozzles 255 are directed at the external surfaces of the vehicle repeatedly and at varying angles of incidence as the nozzles are rotated and the carriage moves about the vehicle. For example, as theV carriage moves in a clockwise direction, FIGURE 2, about the vehicle and the hollow shaft rotates in a counterclockwise direction, FIGURE 3, particles4` or films of dirt adhering to the vertical side surface of the vehicle at a location forwardly of the nozzle assembly are first subjected to sprays of high pressure liquid which are inclined upwardly and as the nozzle assembly is moved beyond such location such surface of the vehicle is then subjected to downwardly directed sprays of the wash liquid. The subjection of the surfaces of the vehicle repeatedly to sprays of high pressure wash liquid whose angle of incidence to the surfaces at the locations of impingemnet thereof changes as the carriage moves about the vehicle, causes mechanical forces to vbe applied to the dirt particles and film to dislodge the dirt particles and filmv from the surfaces of the vehicle. Since the sprays of the wash liquid are directed not only inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the hollow shaft but also in the direction of movement of the nozzles, the velocity of the spray is augmented by the very rapid movement of the nozzles themselves. The successive impingements of the sprays from the nozzle in effect hammers or knocks off the dirt. The hot wash liquid also tends to dissolve any soluble dirt adhering to the vehicle. Such dissolution of the dirt is, of course, facilitated by the action of the detergent in the usual well known manner. The radial and circumferential spacing of the nozzles is such that all surfaces of the vehicle exposed to view are sprayed.

After the carriage has made one complete movement about the vehicle, during which the surfaces of the vehicle have been subjected to repetitive sprays of wash liquid directed at continuously varying angles of incidence to the surfaces, these surfaces are wetted by the wash liquid which tends to penetrate, soften and dissolve any remaining dirt adhering to these surfaces.

A hot rinse liquid, which may be hot water heated to a temperature of approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit, is then supplied to the pipe 327 and as the carriage begins to make a second complete movement about the vehicle, the surfaces of the vehicle are subjected to sprays of the n'nse liquid which washes off any remaining Wash liquid and dirt still present on the vehicle. Since the external surfaces of the vehicle are warmed by the successive applications of the hot wash liquid and the hot rinse liquid, the rinse liquid which remains on the surfaces of the vehicle quickly drains off and evaporates and the vehicle does not need to be wiped or dried off in any manner.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 9, the carriage may be moved about the track assembly by a pneumatic tire 390 whose periphery may engage the internal tread surface 391 of the support frame 30 instead of by the sprocket 185 and chain 78. In this case, the sprocket chain is not mounted on the support frame and the tire instead of the sprocket is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 175. The tire 185 is biased towards engagement with the internal surface of the support frame 30 by the springs 190.

Referring now to FIGURES through 1.3, a nozzle assembly 400 may be substituted for the nozzle assembly 26. The nozzle assembly 400 includes a spray wheel 401 having a vertical circular wall 402 provided with peripheral outwardly extending annular flange 403. Four channel shaped brace members 404 extend radially outwardly of a central area of the Wall. The webs 406 of the brace members engage the rear surface of the Wall and are rigidly secured thereto by welding. The parallel flanges 407 of the brace members extend rearwardly from the wall.

A manifold 410 threaded on the hollow shaft 220 has an external annular flange 411 lwhich overlaps the inner end portions of the brace members and is rigidly secured to the anges of the brace members by welding. The manifold has a central chamber 412 to which the passage of the hollow shaft 220 opens and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 413 in whose outer ends are threaded suitable fittings 414. A pair of conduits 415 connected at their inner ends to diametrically opposed fittings 414 extend radially outwardly of the manifold and are connected at their outer ends by means of suitable fittings 416 to spray nozzles 417. The nozzles are secured to the brace members by welding and extend outwardly through aligned apertures in the webs of the brace members and the wall 402.

A second pair of conduits 415a are connected to another pair -of diametrically opposed fittings 414a extending radially outwardly of the manifold and connected thereto and are connected at the outer ends by means of suitable fittings 416a to spray nozzles 41711. The conduits 415a have T-couplings 420 connected therein intermediate their ends. Inner nozzles 417b are connected to the T-couplings. The nozzles 417a and 417b are secured to the brace members by welding and extend outwardly through aligned apertures in the brace members 415a and the wall 402.

The outer nozzles 417 and 417a are inclined to direct sprays of liquid toward the axis of direction of rotation of the spray wheel and also in the direction of their rotary movement at substantially the same angles while the inner nozzles 417b are positioned to direct sprays of liquid at different angles so that all the surfaces of an automobile, such as those provided by fender channels and the like, will be subjected to the sprays of liquid from the nozzle assembly 400.

`A circular shield 425 is secured to the support member 200, as by one or more bolts 426 which secure the bearing assemblies 223 and 224 to the support member 200 and by a brace bar 428 welded to the side 222 of the support member. The brace bar projects over the annual flange 429 of the shield and is secured thereto by a screw 430. The shield has a suitable aperture through whic-h the rotatable hollow shaft 220 extends.

The rotary swivel 259 and the motor may be disposed in a suitable downwardly opening housing 435 rigidly secured to the support member 200 in any suitable manner, as by welding. The flexible conduit 263 which supplies wash and rinse liquids to the hollow shaft 220 extends upwardly into the support member, through a tubular support 436 welded to the support member, and then upwardlythrough its open outer end to the rigid conduit 268. l The shield 425 prevents accidental contact with the edges and rear surfaces of the spray wheel 201. The spray wheel minimizes outward movement of spray which may be deflected from the surfaces of the vehicle being washed.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 6 and 14 of the drawings, the control circuit for controlling the operation of the motor of the carriage and nozzle assembly motors 165 and 232, respectively, and of the solenoid valves 431 and 432 which control the flow of liquid through a wash agent conduit 433 and a hot water conduit 434 to the supply pipe 327, to which they are connected by a T-coupling 435, may include a coin-operated switch 437 whose contact 438 is momentarily closed when a coin, or coins, of predetermined denomination is inserted in the usual chute of the coin switch. The hot water conduit is connected to a source ofrhot water under pressure, for example degrees Fahrenheit and 600 lbs. per square inch, and the wash agent conduit is connected to a source of liquid wash agent, such as an aqueous solution of detergent or soap, also under similar pressure so that when both valves are open, a mixture or solution of the hot water and wash agent which form a wash liquid are supplied to the supply pipe 327 to flow to the nozzles of the nozzle assembly.

The contact switch 438 Awhen it is closed momentarily connects the windings 441 and 442 of a power relay 443 and a wash agent solenoid relay 444, respectively, across the terminals 445 and 446 of an alternating current input circuit 447. The relay windings 441 and 442 are connected in parallel across the input circuit terminals by the conductors 447:1, 447b and 447e. The relays may be of the type commercially available as type CE, Part No. 9575H2251 from Cutler Hammer Co. of Milwaukee, Wis. The relay 443 has a pair of normally open contacts 448 and 449, a mechanical latch` 450 which holds the contacts in their actuated closed positions when they are moved thereto by the momentary energization of the winding 441, and a release winding 452 which when energized moves the latch 450 to cause it to release the contacts for movement `back to their normally open positions. The contacts are `biased in a suitable manner toward their normal open positions.

The .relay 440 has a normally closed contact 455 and a normally open contact 456, a mechanical latch 457 which holds the contacts 455 and 456 in their actuated open and closed positions, respectively, when they are moved thereto by the momentary energization of the winding 442, and a release winding 459 which when energized moves the latch 457 to release the contacts for movement back to their normal positions.

The contacts 448 and 449 of the relay 443 when in their closed positions connect' the main conductors 461 and 462 of the control circuit to the input circuit terminals 445 and 446 and thus cause energization of a time delay 'device 463 connected across the main conductors. The time delay device may be of any suitable kind which a predetermined time after its connection across the input circuit closes a contact 465. The contact 465 when in its closed positions connects the winding 466 of a motor relay 467 across the main conductors 461 and 462 by means of the conductors 471, 472, 473 and 474. The relay winding when energized moves its normally open contacts 476, 477, 478 and 479 to their closed positions. v

The wash agent solenoid valve 431 is opened when its solenoid is connected across the input circuit to permit a solution of a washing agent to flow through the valve 431 to the supply pipe 327. The solenoid of the valve 431 is connected across the main conductors 461 and 462 ywhen the relay winding 466 of the relay 444 is energized and its contact 456 is in closed position by means of the conductors-471, 481, 482 and 483, the contact 479 and the conductors 484 and 485.

When the relay contact 455 is in its closed position an-d the actuator arm 510a of a switch 510 mounted on the track is engaged by the switch actuator 502 as it moves therepast, the switch 510 is closed and connects the relay winding 511 of a control relay 512 across the main conductors 461 and 462 through the conductors 471, 514 and 515, the contact 455, the conductors 507, the contact 476 and the conductors 508 and 485. The control relay winding when energized moves its normally open contacts 518 and 519 to their closed positions. The holding contact 519 when moved to its closed position keeps the winding 511 connected across the main conductors after the switch 501 opens since it connects one side of the winding to the main conductor 462 through the conductors 521, 514 and 507 the closed contact 476 and the conductors 508 and 485, the opposite side of the winding being connected to the other main conductor 461 by the con-ductors 514 `and 471.

When the control relay contact 518 is in its closed position, the closing of a third switch 523 mounted on the track 'by the engagement of its actuator arm 523a -by an :actuator 524 secured to the horizontal support member 128a of the carriage, connects the release winding 452 of the power relay 443 across the main con- -ductors through the conductors 526, 527, 528, 529 and 507, the contact 518, the conductors 529 and 507, the contact 476, and the conductors 508 and 485. Momentary energization of the release lwinding 452 move the latch 450 to cause it to release the contacts 448 and 449 of the power relay for movement to their open position. The apparatus is fle-energized as the power relay ,contacts open and can be operated again only when the contact 438 of the coin operated switch 437 is again closed.

At the completion of a cycle of the operation of the apparatus, the carriage is in the start position on the track illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 16` with the actuators 502 and 524 in the positions illustr-ated in FIGURES 6 and 14. When the contact 438 of the coin switch 437 is then closed momentarily to initiate operation of the apparatus, after an automobile has been positioned below and vw'thin the track assembly, the relay windings 441 and 442 are simultaneously energized, the contacts 448 and 449 of the power relay 443 being moved to their closed positions, the normally closed contact 455 of the relay 444 being moved to its open position and its normally open contact 456 being moved to its closed position. The carriage motors and the solenoids of the solenoid valves now remain deenergized since the main relay winding 466 is not energized. The closure of the contacts of the power relay winding 443 however energizes the time delay device 463 which, after a predetermined period of time, closes the switch 465. This period of time between the deposition of the coins in the coin operated switch and the energization of the switch 465 is provided to permit the operator to perform some other function or operation if the vehicle is driven below the track after the coin is deposited to provide time for its proper positioning. Closure of the switch 465 now causes the carriage and nozzle motors and the solenoids of the valves to be connected across the main conductors. As a result, hot water yand Washing agent are simultaneously introduced into the supply pipe 327 and this hot wash liquid is supplied to the nozzle assembly at the same time that the motors are energized, the carriage begins to move about the track and the nozzle assembly begins to rotate. As the carriage moves Aabout the track, the switch actuator 502 momentarily closes the switch 510 which however, does not result in the energization of the relay winding 511 since the contact 455 of the relay 444 is now being held in its open position by the latch 457. As the carriage moves about the track and reaches a position a short distance from its initial start location, the switch actuator 502 momentarily closes the switch 501. Closure of the switch 501 causes the release winding 459 of the relay 444 to be energized and this causes its latch to be moved to release its contacts for movement back to their normal positions illustrated in FIGURE 14 wherein the contact 455 is in its closed position yand the contact 456 is in its open position. Movement of the contact 456 to its open position causes deenergization of the solenoid olf the solenoid valve 431 and the closing of the valve 431. Only the valve 432 however remains open so that hot water only now flows into the supply pipe and moves all of the wash liquid out through the nozzles at the time the carriage again reaches its initial start position. All surfaces olf the vehicle have now been washed with the wash liquid and the vehicle is now ready to be rinsed.

-As the carriage approaches its start position, the actuator 524 momentarily closes the switch 523. This lirst closure of the switch 523 however ldoes not result in the energization of the release winding 452 of the relay 443 since the contact 518 of the relay 512 is still in its open position. As the carriage commences its second movement about the track, only hot rinse water is supplied to the nozzle assembly. As the carriage continues its second movement about the track, the actuator 502 again actuates the switch 510 and, since the contact 455 is now in its closed position, momentarily energizes the winding 511 of the relay 512. Thereafter the winding 511 remains energized since its holding contact 519 is moved to closed position when the winding is energized. f

Continued movement of the carriage then causes momentary closure of the switch 501 which again results in momentary energization of the release winding 459 of the relay 444 but this -momentary energization has no effect since the contacts 455 and 456 of this relay are already in their normal positions. As the carriage then approaches its start position, the actuator 524 again closes the switch 503 which, since the contact 518 of the relay 512 is now in its closed position, causes energization of the release winding 452 of the power relay 443 which moves the latch 450 to release the contacts 448 and 449 for movement to their open position. The apparatus is now disconnected from the input circuit as the solenoid valve 432 closes and the carriage and nozzle motors cease operating. The momentum of the carriage however is sufficiently great that it continues to move a short distance about the track after the closure of the switch 523 to its start position, the switch actuator 524 moving out of engagement with the switch 523 and permitting it to open. The apparatus is now back in its initial start position and ready to perform the above sequence of operation next time the switch 436 is closed by the deposition of coins of predetermined denomination therein.

At the initiation of operation of the apparatus the supply pipe 327 is filled with water only from the preceding rinse state of operation thereof but since the inertia of the carriage must be overcome before it attains its normal speed of movement about the track, the water will be expelled from the supply pipe through the nozzles and wash liquid will be sprayed from the nozzles onto the vehicle before the carriage moves any appreciable distance. In addition, upon the completion of the first movement of the carriage about the track wash liquid is still sprayed from the nozzles as the carriage approaches its start position so that all surfaces of the vehicle are sprayed first with the wash liquid and then with a rinse liquid.

It will now be seen that a control means for the washing apparatus has been illustrated and described for automatically causing the washing apparatus to move about the track and subject all surfaces of the vehicle to a spray of wash liquid during one complete movement of the carriage about the track an-d thereafter yduring the second movement of the carriage about the track to subject all surfaces of the automobile t a spray of rinse liquid.

It will be further be seen that, if desired, the swivel assembly 25 may be provided with a third brass collector ring and a third brush assembly with such third brush assembly being connected by a suitable conductor to a stationary part of the nozzle 401 and such third collector ring being connected by a suitable conductor to a conductive stake driven into the `ground to insure proper grounding of the nozzle assembly. It will be apparent that such third brass collector ring and third brush assembly are provided as an additional safety measure since the nozzle assembly and the carriage are of course normally grounded because their components and those of the track and base frame are made of steel or iron, with the base iframe being supported and in contact with ground.

It will further be seen that the apparatus has been described and illustrated as being designed to provide two cycles of operation during one of which the carriage moves about the track while a wash liquid is delivered to the nozzle assembly and during the second cycle of which the carriage makes a second movement about t-he track assembly while a rinse liquid is delivered to the nozzle assembly. It will be apparent that by providing appropriate control means, the apparatus may have three or more cycles of operation. For example, during the first cycle of operation during which the carriage makes one movement about the track rinse liquid may be supplied to the nozzle assembly, during the second cycle of operation a combination rinse and wax solution, which will deposit a coat of wax on the exposed surfaces of the vehicle, may be supplied to the nozzle assembly, and during the third cycle a rinse liquid may be supplied to the nozzle assembly.

It will also be yapparent that the period of time necessary to complete one movement of the carriage about the track may be varied as desired vby changing the speed of the' motor, changing the speed reducing transmissions between the carriage motor and the track engaging member of the carriage, such Kas the sprocket or the pneumatic tire, or by changing the size of such sprocket or tire.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A vehicle washing apparatus including: an overhead substantially rectangular track means; -a carriage mounted for movement about said track means; first drive means on said carriage for moving said carriage about said track means when said drive means is energized; a nozzle assembly mounted on said carriage below said track assembly, said nozzle assembly including a plurality of nozzles rotatable and spaced about a substantially horizontal axis for delivering sprays of liquid at a vehicle positioned below said track means as said carriage moves about said track means; second drive means for lrotating said nozzles; and means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles.

2. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first drive means includes la motor mounted on said carriage and rotatable means driven by said motor and engageab'le with said track means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said track means includes means providing a vertical tread surface and said drive means includes a rotatable member engageable with said tread surface.

`4. The washing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first drive means includes means biasing said rotatable member toward engagement with said tread surface.

5. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said nozzles are positioned to direct sprays of liquid in directions inclined toward the axis of rotation of said nozzles and also in the direction of their rotary movement.

6. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 5, and means for delivering a first liquid under pressure to said nozzles during a first complete movement of said carriage about said track means and then supplying a second liquid under pressure to said nozzles during a succeeding complete movement of said carriage about said track means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles includes means operable by said carriage for supplying a wash liquid to said nozzles during a first complete movement of said carriage about said track means and then supplying a rinse liquid under pressure to said nozzles during a second complete movement of said carriage about said track means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for supplying liquid to said nozzles includes a first rotary union mounted on said carriage and a second rotary union mounted on said track means each having a stationary member and a rotary member, and conduit means connecting the stationary member of said first rotary union with the rotary member of said second rotary union.

9. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzles are positioned to direct sprays of liquid in directions inclined toward the axis of rotation of said nozzles and also in the direction of their rotary movement.

10. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said nozzle assembly includes a plurality of radially outer spaced nozzles positioned to direct sprays of liquid at one predetermined angle inclined toward the axis of rotation 0f Said nozzles and a plurality of radially inner spaced nozzles positioned to direct sprays of liquid at another predetermined angle inclined toward the axis of rotation of said inner nozzles.

11. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for supplying liquid to said nozzles includes a rst rotary union mounted on said carriage and a second rotary union mounted on said track means each having a stationary member and a rotary member, and conduit means connecting the stationary member of said first rotary union with the rotary member of said second rotary union.

12. A washing apparatus mountable on an overhead substantially rectangular track means, said apparatus including: a carriage mountable on an overhead track means for movement thereabout; lirst drive means on said carriage for moving said carriage about the track means when the drive means is energized; a nozzle assembly mounted on said carriage, said nozzle assembly including a plurality of nozzles rotatable and spaced about a substantially horizontal axis for delivering sprays of liquid at a vehicle positioned below the track means as the carriage moves about the track means; second drive means carried by said carriage for rotating said nozzles; and means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first drive means includes a motor mounted on said carriage and rotatable means driven by said motor and engageable with the track means when the carriage is mounted thereon.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said nozzles are positioned to direct sprays of liquid in directions inclined toward the axis of rotation of said nozzles and also inclined in the direction of their rotary movement.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said nozzle assembly includes a hollow shaft mounted for rotation on said carriage about a substantially horizontal axis; a manifold mounted on one end of said hollow shaft; and a plurality of conduits extending outwardly from said manifold, said nozzles being connected to said conduits.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said nozzle assembly includes a spray wheel rigid and rotatable with said manifold, and a stationary shield disposed outwardly of said spray wheel, said conduits being rigid with said spray wheel and between said spray wheel and said spray shield, said nozzles extending inwardly through said spray wheel.

17. The vehicle washing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for supplying liquid to said nozzles includes a first rotary union mounted on said carriage and a second rotary union mounted on said track means each having a stationary member and a rotary member, and conduit means connecting the stationary member of said first rotary union with the rotary member of said second rotary union.

18. A nozzle assembly for use in a washing apparatus, said nozzle assembly including a hollow rotatable shaft; a manifold on one end of said hollow shaft; a spray wheel rigid with said manifold and rotatable therewith; a plurality of conduits extending radially outwardly from said manifold about the axis of rotation of said shaft and having nozzles connected thereto, said spray wheel having apertures, said nozzles extending through said apertures and a stationary shield disposed outwardly of said spray wheel, said conduits being disposed between said spray wheel and said spray shield, said nozzles being positioned to direct sprays of liquid in directions inclined toward the axis of rotation of said nozzles and of said hollow shaft and also in the direction of rotary movement of said nozzles and away from said spray wheel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,586,997 6/1926 Hull 239-225 XR 1,752,316 4/1930 Voshardt 239-246 2,602,003 7/1952 Wellborn 134-129 XR 2,750,708 6/1956 Handeld 239-77 XR 2,896,857 7/1959 Tompkins 134-123 XR 2,936,770 5/1960 Emanuel 134-123 3,167,797 2/1965 Hergonson 134-123 XR ROBERTVL. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner, 

